“No, but I’ll keep you safe. No one will dare touch you with me around.” Cillian’s eyes lock with mine.
My heart beats intensely, and chills run up and down my spine. “How are you supposed to go everywhere with me, Cillian? I mean, I’m not stupid. I can see you’re giving me half-answers. You’re avoiding it, so I’m guessing you know this is bad.”
“I know there will be risks, but I won’t break any promises I make to you, Mia. We’re in Northern Ireland, and there are things I haven’t told you about my birth mother. One of them being the fact she’s related to the Mackenzie family, which makes me related as well.”
“Wait. Are you talking about . . .” I don’t bother finishing because he gives me a nod.
“I’ve spoken to Liam, and he’s confirming my DNA shares the same markers as his as we speak. I went ahead and told him I wouldn’t be the face of the Gallaghers, considering I was raised a Bernardi my entire life. I’ve arranged for him to bring Keenan into the fold, so he can better provide for the rest of my siblings.”
“Okay . . .”
“Let me ask you this, Mia. Are you happy here in Belfast? Do you like the job you’re at now?”
“Yes, very much so to both.” I don’t even have to think about it.
“Then we will stay here if that’s what you want, and in doing so, we’ll be more protected. I’m certain my cousin will provide us with security, even if I don’t want to be overly active in the Irish business. The Italians are where I’ve focused for ages, where I grew up learning tricks of the trade and whatnot.”
“So, does that mean you’re taking your father’s empire?”
“I haven’t spoken to my Bernardi brothers as of yet, but if they don’t stake their claim, then I will. But we can remain here in Belfast. In the meantime, I’ll try to see if my contacts can find out who he ordered the hit with.”
“I’m nervous, Cillian.”
“I know you are, but we spent far too many years apart. I’m not willing to walk away from you again.” His words cause my heart to swell ten times as big. I wrap my arms around him in a tight hug, and he holds me tightly against his chest.
“I’d love to stay like this all day, but I’m sure you have a time we need to be at your office by?”
I laugh and nod as I release my grip around his waist. “Yes, let’s get going.”